Top 9 greatest female footballers of all time

In the modern world, women's football has significantly caught the eye of many and gender plays no part in bringing out one's true potential; it is all about will and resolve.

As much as men's football dominates sports entertainment, women have proved themselves equally worthy and have claimed their stake, writing their names down in the history books.

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With the 2018 Africa Women Cup of Nations (Awcon) currently on going in Ghana, TUKO.co.ke found it necessary to delve into the world of female footballers and highlight legends of the beautiful game.

FIFA initiated the first female World Cup in 1991 and since then, its popularity has thrived with the 2015 Women's World Cup in Canada gathering a total attendance of 1.35 million.

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Awcon 2018 also acts as the African qualifiers to the upcoming 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup.

Here are the top nine greatest legends of the game:

9. Asisat Oshoala (Forward, Nigeria)

Oshoala plays for Chinese side Dalian Quanjin in the Chinese Women's Super League as a forward.

The former Liverpool and Arsenal striker is a three-time African Footballer of the Year winner.

She was named best player and was the highest goal-scorer at the 2014 FIFA U20 Women's World Cup.

8. Kelly Smith (Forward, England)

The Arsenal Ladies legend scored an impressive 73 goals in 66 games from 2005 to 2009 for the Gunners.

7. Homare Sawa ( Forward, Japan)

Homare bagged 83 goals in 204 appearances for Japan.

She led Japan to winning their first Women's World Cup in 2011.

Sawa took home the Golden Boot and Golden Ball and was named 2011 FIFA World Player of the Year.

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6. Abby Wambach (Forward, USA)

Abby is the highest goal scorer in both the women's and men's US national soccer charts.

She has a total of 184 goals to her name and won the FIFA 2002 World Player of the Year.

5. Sun Wen (Forward, China)

Sun was China's talisman during China's golden age of soccer.

She scored 105 goals in 152 international caps.

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Wen, also known as the queen of assists, won the Golden Ball and Golden Boot at the 1999 World Cup.

4.Birgit Prinz (Forward/Attacking midfielder, Germany)

Prinz played a crucial role in securing Germany the 2003 and 2007 Women's World Cup, with Prinz earning the Golden Ball.

The German scored 128 times in 214 international appearances.

3. Michelle Akers (Forward/Defensive midfielder, USA)

Akers secured the Olympic medal while representing her country at the 1996 Olympics and also inspired her team to win the 1999 World Cup.

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She doubled back as defensive midfielder but was equally as potent as a forward, leaving defenders in her dust with her long strides.

2. Mia Hamm (Forward, USA)

With 275 caps for USA, Hamm managed a world-record 158 internationals goals in her career.

Her skill, vision and ability to anticipate the game made her one of the best players of her generation.

1. Marta (Forward,Brazil)

Nicknamed Pele with skirts by the maestro himself, Marta has over 100 goals in just over 130 matches.

Marta Vieira da Silva was named FIFA player of the year for five consecutive years from 2006 to 2010.

She inspired Brazil to winning silver at both the 2004 and 2008 Summer Olympics.

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